Ryder's Menagerie: Reviving Hard Rock with a Modern Edge
Rock is back, baby! Menagerie, Ryder's latest album, is rising up the charts only a month after dropping. Released on January 31, 2025, this explosive set of tracks showcases the group's revitalized passion and energy for making music. Dedicated rock fans and casual listeners alike can expect to be taken on an emotional journey, facing the darkest pits of struggle, the battles of resilience, and tracking full circle to self-redemption. Hit play and listen as you read!
A New Era for Ryder
Ryder, a four-piece rock group out of Queens, NY, is hard-launching a new era of the band with Menagerie. Following a complete lineup change in early 2024, the band emerged stronger than ever, with a natural chemistry that facilitated deep creativity and discovery.
Fronted by powerhouse vocalist and rhythm guitarist James Ryder, with Max Knight on lead guitar, Rod Viquez on bass, and Nick Bavaro on drums, this lineup of eclectic backgrounds created a "melting pot" of musical inspirations. Ranging from Metallica to The Beatles, the group has cultivated their sound from this diverse set of influences, allowing them to produce truly unique music that challenges any rigid boundaries one might place on rock.
The Sound of Menagerie
While some hard rock albums, especially of late, can feel formulaic and drawn out, Menagerie breaks through this mold. This album can be characterized by elements of both past and present, paying homage to classic rock legends while infusing a modern, edgy intensity. Haunting lyrics intertwined with blistering guitar solos invoke one to ponder the complexities of human nature: hardship, betrayal, deception and perseverance.
Our favorites include:
'Queen Viper’s Kiss': A venomous anthem dripping with deceit and danger, paired with seductive yet heavy guitar riffs.
'Heart of Stone': An introspective battle of resilience wrapped in soaring choruses and thunderous rhythms.
'Southbound': A defiant and liberating track with blistering energy.
'Menagerie': An emotional centerpiece that explores pride, manipulation, and redemption, perfectly embodying the album's essence.
These songs don’t just speak to hardcore rockers. They call out to anyone who’s been beaten down, picked themselves up, and rediscovered their identity. Every note, every lyric, every beat feels purposeful, balancing raw aggression with introspection and vulnerability.
The People Behind the Music
Menagerie marks a defining moment for Ryder as a group, as well. The lineup change was a risk, but the band embraced an ultra-collaborative approach that paid off in the form of a record that feels fresh, urgent, and authentically theirs.
Left to right: Rod Viquez, Max Knight, Nick Bavaro, James Ryder (c/o Ryder)
Writing lyrics at their home studio in Queens, the group leaned heavily on their collective conscience during acoustic sessions, refining quick riffs into new tracks. Max Knight, lead guitarist, also produced the album, fine tuning their recordings at Phantom Studios.
Join the Menagerie
Whether you’re a longtime fan of heavy-hitting anthems or someone new to the world of rock, Menagerie promises a fully immersive listening experience. Each track offers something meaningful, intense, and relatable—a rare combination in today’s music landscape.
Listen to Menagerie now on your favorite streaming platform (links below), and join Ryder’s growing community of rockers.
Follow Ryder on Band Groupeez, our new music service, and Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.
Listen to 'Menagerie' on Apple Music
